STATIONS OF THE CROSS

History of Our Stations of the Cross

Our Stations of the Cross come from Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Mckeesport, PA. Holy Trinity was established as a parish for the growing Slovak community in McKeesport in December 1892 and the church's cornerstone was from 1911. Holy Trinity merged with St. Peter's, St. Mary's (German) and Sacred Heart(Croatian) churches to form St. Martin de Porres Parish in 1993. The final Mass was on Sunday, October 31, 2010 at 10:30 am.

The Stations of the Cross were refurbished by King Richards and installed at St. Francis of Assisi Church on September 21, 2013.

The Way of the Cross

Heavenly Father, out of love for us you sent your own Son,our Lord, Jesus Christ, as our Savior.In Him we are redeemed and saved.

Despite our weakness and sinfulness we wish to imitate Him. Send your Holy Spirit, we implore you, to assist us as we make the way of the cross.

We invoke the aid of our Blessed Lady, and that of all the other saints that we may be enabled to follow Christ and to make His way of the cross our way of life and love. Amen.

1. Jesus Is Condemned to Death

What is your verdict? They answered, He deserves death.(Mt 26:66)

Jesus, though He was innocent, was falsely accused, and unjustly judged. Yet, He trusted in His heavenly Father to rescue Him from the designs of the wicked. Let us imitate His faith in God.

2. Jesus Takes Up His Cross

Jesus was led away, carrying the cross by himself.(Jn 19:17)

Just as Jesus embraced the cross out of love for us, so we must put up with the trials and contradictions we meet in following Him. Thus, our individual cross can become a means of salvation for us.

3. Jesus Falls the First Time

I was appalled that there was no one to lend support.(Is 63:5)

Jesus, our Lord, fell beneath the weight of His heavy cross. he knows we need His help when we stumble and fall in following Him. When we turn to Him in our distress, He will not fail to come to our aid.

4. Jesus Meets Mary, His Mother

This is my beloved Son.(Mt 3:17)

How Mary must have grieved to see her Son, Jesus being led to crucifixion! Our Lady shared the pain of that hour; and so she also shares in His triumph over death. Our Savior gives us the same opportunity.

5. Simon Carries the Cross of Jesus

They met a Cyrenean named Simon. This man they pressed into service to carry the cross. (Mt 27:32)

Christ's yoke is easy and His burden light, as Simon learned in helping Him. Though we naturally resist pain and hardship, we also will find that serving Christ will be a joy.

6. Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

As often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me. (Mt 25:40)

Anything else we can do for anyone, Our Lord counts as done for Him. To help those in pain or trouble is always an act pleasing to God, one that will not go without a reward here and hereafter.

7. Jesus Falls the Second Time

Strengthen the hands that are feeble; make firm the keens that are weak. (Is 35:3)

Our Lord fell again under the weight of His cross. When we weaken, falter and fall, Our Savior knows how hard our way is. he will strengthen us in sorrow and come to help us. He will be our strength.

8. Jesus Consoles the Women

Do not weep for me but for yourselves and for your children.(Mk 15:37)

The heart of Jesus was full pity for the sufferings His people were destined to undergo. So, too, does he have immense pity for us for whom He once suffered and died. Ask Him now to help you.

9. Jesus Falls the Third Time

Be not far from me for I am in distress; be near, for I have no one to help me. (Ps 22:12)

How frail at this stage is Christ in His human nature! Yet, He endured despite His weakness and failing strength. So must we carry on in spite of our infirmity and failings to do God's work.

10. Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

They divided up His garments by rolling dice for them to see what each should take. (Mk 15:37)

Just as Christ's clothing was taken away, so one day will we be separated from all the possession given to us in life. Nothing we own belongs with us permanently; so we must each be generous with the gifts God gives us.

11. Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

With Him they crucified two insurgents, one at His right and one at His left. (Mk 15:27)

The soldiers nailed Christ to the cross so that He knew the pain and anguish of being unable to move hand or foot. In distress He cried out Psalm 22, "My God , My God, why have you forsaken me?"

12. Jesus Dies on the Cross

Then Jesus, uttering a loud cry, breathed His last.(Mk 15:37)

When it comes our turn to die, let us meet death as Jesus did, trusting God for deliverance. Having suffered with Christ and dying with Him, we shall rise to reign with Him forever.

13. Jesus' Body is Removed From the Cross

He relied on God; let God rescue him now if He wants to. (Mt 27:43)

Christ's death is the final proof of His humanity. Unless He was human, He could not have died. Unless he was also God, His death would profit us nothing. "Ours were the sufferings He bore."

14. Jesus' Body is Laid in the Tomb

Joseph of Arimathea laid Him in a tomb, and rolled a stone across the entrance. (Mk 15:46)

Christ's lifeless body is laid to rest, but the grave could not hold Him who created the universe. he rises gloriously on the third day to new life with God where He lives to make intercession for us always.

You, O God, overcame death through your only-begotten Sonwho opened for us the gates of life eternal. Help us, then, to carry out in our lives the desires you inspire in us. This we ask through the risen Christ, our Lord,who now lives and reigns with you in the unity ofthe Holy Spirit, God, for all the ages. Amen.